Apple demands approval of all third party Lightning accessories

Say goodbye to cheap Chinese peripherals

Not content with introducing a unique hardware chip in the iPhone 5 to eradicate cheap alternatives, it turns out that Apple is also only allowing approved third party factories to create accessories using the new Lightning connector.

This tighter control is set to all by eradicate cheap third party alternatives that don't have Cupertino's stamp of approval.

At this stage, it appears that no third parties have actually received Apple's blessing to go forth and create Lightning accessories.

But according to Slashgear, Apple is planning a special seminar in China within weeks to communicate the company's position with factories interested in manufacturing Lightning-based peripherals.

Slower than Lightning

The fact that no Chinese factories are already making Lightning connections means that it will likely be months before we begin to see third-party peripherals for the iPhone 5.

This delay is certain to frustrate the Apple faithful reluctant to spend AUD$35 ($US29, £18) on a special 30-pin to Lightning adapter.